The Prince of Travelers

Miao-Miao

“You like cats?” li Huanran asked as soon as he reached the terrace of Consort Ai's house. Li An was feeding the newly found little cat. The boy replied sincerely and briefly, “Soft, funny.”

Li Huanran held back a laugh hearing that. While covering half his face with a fan, He commented, “The cat is dirty. Let Mimi clean it up. Surely the cat will look more cute after that.”

“No, I myself clean,” Li An turned to his sister. The boy gave a sharp look as if confirming that this cat belonged to him. He didn't want his to be taken by anyone.

“Ha? Okay,” Li Huanran initially a bit confused, but immediately smiled ignorantly to make Li An suspicious, “Where do you want to clean it?”

“Air,” Li An replied casually. Again Li Huanran held back a laugh. He imagined interesting things that would happen when Li An bathed his cat. It would be so much fun to watch. The Third Princess also said without hiding her nosy look, “Quick, quick! Bathe the cat! I want to see how my little sister bathes a cat.”

“Hm? Later aja. Let Miao-Miao eat first,” Li An doesn't care about anything Li Huanran is hiding. In any case, he would not let his cat be taken over by the scheming Third Princess.

“Miao-Miao? You already gave him a name?” the ignorant smile on Li Huanran's face faded away replaced the curious mimic. That's not a strange name indeed. However, there was something stuck in Li Huanran's mind, “Why do you give that name?”

“The voice is ‘miao-miao’. Yes ... That's it,” Li An's simple answer made Li Huanran lose his words. The girl recalled one of the minority tribe clans when she heard the name Miao. He thought Li An gave his cat a name based on the clan of the minority tribe, the Miao.

“That's a great name. Now, bathe him. I think Miao-Miao is key,” persuaded Li Huanran with a thin smile. He can't wait to see that happen. His lips again tried to hide the nosy smile that was the fruit of his imagination.

“Why are you in a hurry? What is Brother hiding?” ask Li An. Li Huanran shook his head, then smiled sweetly as usual. He put his mask back on perfectly.

“I just want to see how cute Miao-Miao runs out An’er bathe,” replied Li Huanran half honest. Li An did not care anymore after not getting more information. He asked Mimi to get a bucket of water so that Li Huanran let out a sigh of understanding. Li An's refusal had become useless because Mimi had helped in the end.

“This, Prince. Please careful. The cat will claw when exposed to water suddenly,” warning Mimi makes Li Huanran again throw his breath. This time out of disappointment had lost the spectacle that should have been interesting because Li An was not a foolish and selfish child.

The boy handed Miao-Miao over to Mimi, then stared intently at Li Huanran who was wasting face while covering half his face with a fan. Li An also threw away his face. Now, he understood that his sly sister wanted to see him clawed by a cat. What an antagonist.

Li An watched Mimi bathe her cat painstakingly. Li Huanran even took in the scenery from afar. Miao-Mioa initially rebelled when exposed to water. However, Mimi was somehow able to calm him down quickly then.

“Mimi has a cat?” li An asked curiously. The girl asked just smiled and nodded small. He was drying Miao-Miao's damp hair with a towel. His hands are very good at taking care of the orange cat.

Miao-Miao shook her body, shaking off the remaining water. Her hair stood up because of that. Mimi adeptly combed it so that the striped orange hair became more beautiful. Li An and Li Huanran were so excited to see her. Mimi also felt like she had a cat lover friend in the palace.

The clouds began to redden without notice, signifying that it was late afternoon. Li Huanran dragged his sister back to their room first before claiming the right to Consort Ai's residence. They had to meet with Emperor Yung Wei first for the process to proceed quickly.

“When did we meet the emperor's father?” li An asked on the way. Although it sounded cute and cold, Li Huanran could tell that his sister was enthusiastic. Maybe because he will stay again in his old residence, maybe also because of Miao-Miao who he now entrusts to Mimi.

“Tonight we will eat together. After a busy few days since your arrival, finally the emperor's father has time to meet,” Li Huanran reported. Li An was not smiling, but was still flat-faced. The boy then muttered softly, “Why not just keep working?”

“Hais .. eating with his family was also the work of the emperor,” reply Li Huanran who apparently heard the soft murmur. Li An did not respond to her brother's comments further. He noticed the water on the princess's face that looked so clear with a graceful smile on it. Today the Eighth Prince still did not understand, but in the future he would understand that it was a smile of happiness.

“Prepare! The ladies and gentlemen will help you,” said Li Huanran before leaving Li An in his room. She smiled sweetly as usual. Unlike his sister who looked surprised and did not accept, “What!? Don't wanna! I want to get ready myself.”

“It's their responsibility. Please don't be complicated. You are still a child,” Li Huanran turned away without caring about his sister's lawsuit. As she left, the ladies were ready to dress Li An with sparkling eyes.

Li An insisted on driving them away, but not a single lady-in-waiting ignored him. They were under Li Huanran's supervision. So, Li An's orders were meaningless to them.

“Well, you look so cute now,” Li Huanran clapped his hands once, amazed by the good looks of his brother who is dressed in the fancy style of a prince, dark robed with elegant hanging arms. A silk scarf wrapped around his shoulders. A beautiful jade was hanging on her waist.

Li An threw away his face, sulking at the actions of his sister who was arbitrarily. But they keep walking together. Before going to the banquet hall, Li Huanran took his sister to a beautiful pavilion complex.

"Hm? Is this the boy you told me about?" a young man whose clothes were no less glamorous and elegant than Li An suddenly turned his head when he sensed Li Huanran's presence. He was the Fourth Prince who was Li Huanran's brother. Her face was very similar to that of the Third Princess, but her facial water looked frozen.

"You want what you? Just be careful if An'er follows naughty because of you," threatened Li Huanran fierce. The princess immediately put on a watchful face. He spread out his hand to block the Fourth Prince who wanted to get close to that Li An. Li An himself silently watched. This was the first time he had seen such a serious expression of Li Huanran.

"Hi! Whatchu mean? I just wanted to say hello to him," the Fourth Prince's protest was upset. Obviously he did not accept being called naughty. His eyes were on Li An. There was a familiar cold there. Li An was sure once to feel a similar cold gaze. That familiar feeling was answered shortly afterwards.

"Bai'er, greet your sister nicely. Don't make her afraid and cry" Consort Shu came out of her house in a fancy dress. Her hair was braided so intricately like high mountains. He also looked at Li An with his sharp eyes and no less cold, "Yes .. even though he seemed to have no fear."

"Greetings, Aunt Shu," Li An showed his respect, then brought himself closer to Li Huanran to turn his face away from that piercing cold gaze. Li Huanran stroked his head with a gentle smile as if to say, "Give everything to me."

"Don't be afraid and just hold my hand. They won't do anything as long as you're by my side," Li Huanran asked Li An to hold his hand before entering the banquet hall. Even with a flat face and seemed to not care, Li An still accepted it. Behind the two, Li Bei whispered to Consort Shu, “Mother, will this be alright?”

“Hah .. just let Huan’er play with Prince Kedalapan. During this time, none of his sons and daughters of the emperor who really considered him a sister other than that boy,” replied Consort Shu calmly. Li Bei did not bother about it anymore after hearing that explanation. Concubine Shu's entourage was warmly welcomed upon entry into the hall.

Li An watched the surroundings without the slightest interested or impressed look. In fact, the banquet hall had been decorated in such a way. There are beautiful lanterns with unique pictures that are hung in various places. Beautiful old bonsai are neatly arranged and elegant, impressing with a thick natural air.

The ladies and eunuchs were pacing back and forth to bring a large dinner. They are very enthusiastic and quick to carry out their duties. This kind of event does not happen every day. Very rarely did Emperor Yung Wei invite his entire family to eat together.

The princes and princesses sat at the same table as their mothers. Their position depends on their position in the palace. Consort Shu sat in fourth position. Consort Zhouyi was in sixth position, while Empress Eminen was sitting next to the emperor.

Although the most prominent woman had no children, she was still able to hold on to her current position due to the influence of her relatives who were high-class ministers in the Imperial Palace. The dishes are very beautiful and beautiful. Her actions were graceful and elegant. Upon seeing Li An enter with Li Huanran, he smiled kindly welcoming the two.

As Consort Ai was still around, Li An must have been sitting by her side. Since she no longer had a mother, she sat with the Third Princess with Consort Shu as her guardian. His calm and calm attitude makes him look mature. Unfortunately, Li Huanran's hand-held hand broke all those impressions. He looked more like a normal, calm child.

“This is a happy night. After a long time, I finally have time to gather with all of you,” Emperor Yung Wei said. A variety of meals were available at the tables of each concubine. After Emperor Tang finished his speech, then the members of the imperial family could eat. The kids were the happiest when that time came.

“Eat with ease. You can eat everything you want,” Consort Shu flat told Li An who still has not started eating food. At first, he was a little worried in case his daughter missed teaching the boy a meal. However, his worries were faded when he saw Li An was able to eat quietly.

Among the children present, Li An was the most henchman. From the beginning to the end of the event, she did not budge from her place even as the dinner began. He does not stockpile food like other children and only eats nearby. This behavior keeps him away from the glaring impression.

“Kids, I heard you wanted to meet the emperor,” Consort Shu said as the dinner was almost over. Li Huanran and Li An nodded. There was indeed something they wanted to talk to the emperor's father about the claim of Consort Ai's Residence. “Please wait at my house after this. His Majesty the emperor will meet you there.”

“Hm, well,” Li Huanran also thanked. Li Bei was interested in hearing that. He wanted to know what his sister would ask for. Li Huanran instead replied instead saying ketus, “Hmph, this is not the business of the Kakanda. You don't need to know.”

“What? I was just curious!” Li Bei did not accept the Third Princess' attitude. Well, this is how the brothers interact. Each one competing to dominate. Therefore, Li Huanran was very happy when he was able to pull Li An into the grasp of his hand. Unlike Li Bei, Li An was easier to control and did not fight much. However, not too plain either.

That night, Li An and Li Huanran actually met her father. Of course Emperor Yung Wei did not mind giving Consort Ai's Residence to Li An. It will be taken care of soon tomorrow. Young children should immediately rest with the late night. Before Li An left Consort Shu's residence, Emperor Yung Wei advised him, “Tomorrow evening, come to my place. Let's talk together. I'm sure Ai Ai taught you a lot of good things.”

Li An simply nodded. Li Huanran replied. He knew the boy wanted to go back to his room immediately. In the middle of the road, they met Li Bei who seemed to be deliberately waiting.

“What do you want to do?” tanya Li Huanran cynically, “Day is already night. An’er should go to bed immediately.”

“Hais .. I know that. I just want to take her somewhere tomorrow. He must be bored with you constantly,” Li Bei actually did not want to say that. However, he was too dragged by Li Huanran's competition. So, they even fought over Li An's influence. The Eighth Prince as the party concerned himself did not care and left them outside.

The claim of Consort Ai's residence took place quickly with inked paper from the emperor. The eunuchs took care of the transfer as best as they could under the eyes of a scholar. Damaged plants are replaced, every inch of dirty parts is cleaned. Li An was able to relish the residence during the day.

“Why are you doing so much stuff?” li An protest saw Li Huanran's ladies in droves carrying the princess's daily assets. Li An's own items were not many, most of them were just books and scrolls that he had borrowed from the Small Archive Pagoda. Li Huanran smiled faintly in response to her sister's protest, “Hais .. you are still a child. Not yet understood the affairs of adult women.”

“Hmph! Brother himself is also immature,” said Li An. Li Huanran did not reply anymore. He just kept smiling because that was the way it was. He still has not performed the ceremony of maturity. But that doesn't mean he's not an adult.

“Where is Miao-Miao?” li An asked as soon as he saw Mimi among Li Huanran's ladies. Mimi explained that she released the little cat in the park as soon as she got here. “Miao-Miao should be there. Sorry for not being able to take care of her properly. There's a lot of work I have to do.”

“Hm, no problem,” Li An immediately left the group of ladies and looking for his little cat.

...***...

“Emperor want to meet him personally? Xiang’er never even got such an opportunity,” Mistress Zhaoyi asked in a flat, but piercing tone, “Head of Dayang Yi, what about the task I gave you?”

A middle-aged woman in a special uniform knelt before the madam. His head bowed in not daring to meet each other face to face with his lord. He replied honestly, “Eighth Prince and Third Princess are always together. We can't get close at all.”

“What do they do?” Madam Zhaoyi twirled her hair. Her mood has been bad lately. If only the emperor had not shown any sign of his concern for the boy, he would not have been this unsettling. His eyes were staring at space. The sky is clear today. There's just a little cloud there.

“Eighth Prince and Third Princess are just a regular walk. There is no special thing they do,” reported Head Dayang Yi, “Mrs Zhaoyi need not worry. We make sure that the Eighth Prince will not get in your way.”

“Ck, go and keep an eye on him. I just want to hear a really serious statement,” Mrs Zhaoyi said without turning her head. Head Dayang Yi also resigned. In the courtyard of his mistress' residence, he breathed long.

“The world in this palace is very complicated. A child who has not grown ten years can be swallowed by it,” muttered Dayang Yi Head. He felt sorry for Li An. Inwardly, he wished the boy well and grew up healthy. “Well, as long as the Eighth Prince is completely out of the eyes of the emperor, he can certainly escape the eyes of the nobles who are eyeing power.”